The Territory Labor Government is creating jobs with the contract to construct the new Bushfires NT Headquarters at the Hughes Airstrip in Acacia Hills recently awarded.

The contract was awarded to local company C&R Constructions Pty Ltd, for $6.6 million and is expected to support more than 30 local jobs.

Once completed the new Headquarters will bring staff located at Winnellie and Batchelor to the one location, to better coordinate fire season planning and response.

A new, improved and integrated Incident Control Room in the Headquarters will support Bushfires NT respond to and manage bushfire emergencies and will provide a combination of incident control, training, volunteer information and support, and community information.

The facility will also include:

• Modern office accommodation;
• An appliance bay;
• Operational and support areas;
• Infrastructure and service connections for future expansion; and
• Solar panels and sectioned air-conditioning to reduce operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Bushfires NT Headquarters in the Darwin rural area will help improve community safety and accessibility and strengthen relationships between rural landholders, volunteers and service providers.

Works are expected to commence in the coming months and will run over a 12 month period. For more information go to www.dipl.nt.gov.au

Quotes from the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:

“As a Government we will continue to support and guide development in the Northern Territory because supporting businesses and local jobs is our top priority - this project alone will support more than 30 local jobs.

“Bushfires NT staff and volunteers are well known for the great job they do for our community, keeping people safe and this will become so much easier with the construction of a new HQ here in Acacia Hills.

“Our investment in this new facility to support Bushfires NT keep our community safe, brings vital services together and closer to one of the largest communities it serves.”

Quotes from the Managing Director, C & R Constructions, Caleb Gotts:

“C and R Constructions are proud to have been awarded this contract and look forward to breaking ground in the coming weeks. This project will sustain our business, maintaining employment and opportunities for not only our 36 staff but also a range of local sub-contractors and suppliers.

“Having 12 months of work ahead of us is fantastic and we look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead.”